Understanding sudden death syndrome in performance athletes – Heidi du Preez

It has been estimated that 1 to 3 in 100,000 apparently healthy young athletes die suddenly during exercise; especially in sports like basketball, football, and American football (McKelvie et al., 2022). Cardiac events are considered the most common medical cause of sudden death syndrome in performance athletes: myocarditis, inflammation of the heart muscle, is considered by the American College of Cardiology a very likely reason for such traumatic events, with chronic inflammation and oxidative stress as the main underlying etiological factors.

In this podcast, host Ian Craig asks nutritional scientist and practitioner, Heidi du Preez, about the underlying factors that could contribute to sudden cardiac death susceptibility among performing athletes. Included within this discussion is a deep dive into sulphur metabolism and the importance of sulphation for cardiovascular health: the degree and position of sulphate groups in the endothelial layers of the heart has an important effect on its function. Additionally, the factors that contribute to the sulphate pool, and those that deplete it, will be explored. This podcast ultimately aims to provide nutrition and lifestyle strategies that should lesson the likelihood of sudden death syndrome during sporting events.

About Heidi

Heidi du Preez PhD candidate is a professional registered scientist, specialising in nutritional biochemistry. She obtained a masters degree in food science in 1995, and has been working in the arena of functional medicine since 1999. Heidi is currently registered for a PhD in Clinical Medicine at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, with sulphur metabolism as her area of specialisation. Heidi runs a private nutrition practice in Cape Town, South Africa, and online. She follows a functional approach, applying the principles of precision medicine or personalised medicine, which is based on the concepts of nutritional therapy. She specialises in integrative oncology, environmental illness, heavy metal toxicity, neurological diseases, digestive disorders and systemic candidiasis. Heidi is a co-author of the health recipe book Naturally Nutritious Wholefood Cookbook. 

Email: heididp@heididupreez.com